A few months back, WBN posted an online article that featured in the WBC Magazine on one of the greatest American Olympic Boxing Teams of all time.
The 1984 squad, including Evander Holyfield and Henry Tillman, would make headlines around the world. They collectively claimed an astonishing eleven medals from their twelve participants.
Included was a young 106-pound contender named Paul Gonzales, whose follow-up in the WBN write-up reported his pro career achievements.
“Gonzales would challenge for the world bantamweight title in 1990, losing out to Orlando Canizales via stoppage on cuts. He would retire in 1991 after two more defeats.”
Gonzales would then move on to coach youngsters in his East Los Angeles community. He was hailed as the first Mexican-American to win gold at the Olympic Games.
Paul Gonzales charges
Gonzales ‘ reputation has now taken a sinister turn for the worse. That’s despite years of what many perceived as sterling work and on the back of recognition by the governing bodies.
Police have confirmed Gonzales, now 53, has been charged with eight felonies relating to children’s abuse. The charges stem from accusations made by a 13-year-old girl training in the gym where he now works.
“We are very concerned that there are more victims out there,” Sherrif’s Special Victims Bureau Lt. Todd Deeds, the sheriff’s special victims bureau, told the LA Times regarding Gonzales, who has had constant contact with children for some time.
Gonzalez has been employed at Eddie Heredia Boxing Club on Olympic Boulevard for the past ten years on a $60,000 per year salary. He has been working with pupils from the age of 8 to 19 years of age.
Arrested on December 29, police also confirmed Gonzales is holed up at Men’s Central Jail on $545,000 bail. He has four counts of being involved in lewd acts with a child and possession of child abuse hanging over his head and could be sentenced to up to 18 years if found guilty.
Claims have been made that Gonzales ‘groomed’ the young girl and coerced her into a sexual relationship.
Follow experienced boxing news source World Boxing News on Facebook.
